Uganda to host Rugby Africa Cup and welcome Webb Ellis trophy

The Uganda Rugby Union (URU) is gearing up to host the Rugby Africa Cup from July 8 to 19 at Namboole Stadium, a major milestone for the sport in the country.

Before the tournament begins, Uganda will have the honour of hosting the Webb Ellis Cup, the official Rugby World Cup trophy, offering local fans a rare and exciting opportunity to see it up close.

“The trophy arrives on July 6 and will be officially received by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at State House Entebbe on July 7,” confirmed URU official Emmanuel Baine.

“If time allows, it will also feature in a tag rugby session at Kyadondo. On July 8, it will be displayed at Namboole Stadium for select fans and officials to take photos. It departs Uganda on July 9.”

This marks a historic moment for Ugandan rugby, as Uganda becomes only the second African nation, after South Africa, to host the iconic trophy.

“Though we haven’t yet qualified for the Rugby World Cup, hosting the Webb Ellis Cup is a huge honor. It’s a chance to inspire fans and raise Uganda’s rugby profile,” Baine added.

In preparation for the Africa Cup, the URU held a press briefing at Ndere Cultural Centre, where Local Organizing Committee Vice Chairperson Emmanuel Fudribo emphasized the importance of learning from past tournaments.

“This initiative is based on lessons from previous events. We’re aligning our operations and venue access to improve the overall experience,” Fudribo said.

The coming weeks are crucial for Uganda’s rugby ambitions. A win at the Rugby Africa Cup would secure a spot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. There’s also a second chance via a repechage match between the Africa Cup runner-up and Asia’s second-best team, scheduled for July 26 at Namboole.